Landmarks in the development of hematopoietic cell transplantation

The field of bone marrow transplantation has evolved over a period of 50 ye ars. Reports of beneficial treatment of murine leukemia by irradiation and injection of marrow cells from another mouse stimulated interest in attempt ing to use these techniques to treat patients with leukemia. The first few bold attempts at human application mere generally met with a total lack of success except For a few transplants involving identical twins, Understandi ng the HLA system led to the ability to select compatible sibling donors. T he first successful long-term survivors mere reported at the end of the 196 0s. During the 1970's patients were given transplants for leukemia after fa ilure of all other treatment. Survivals were poor, but some patients were c ured, Transplantation early in the course of the disease resulted in greatl y improved survival. During the 1980s improved control of infections, the u se of peripheral blood as the source of stem cells, and the ability to sele ct donors other than family members resulted in wide application of hematop oietic cell grafting.